I like the points made here! Maybe something that can also help as a reader is better tag system. If I want to read certain kind of fiction, I shouldn't have to go through various publications and then their posts to get what I am looking for. Surely there is a better way for it that Substack can and will roll out soon.
A lot of great ideas in this article. There is absolutely a necessity for bringing in more readers. I think Substack itself could do more to help writers find readers off platform even if it was a few articles with tips and ideas.
One simple argument against public reader analytics is privacy. I don’t consider that I have a right to know everything my subscribers read or interact with when they’re not reading me. I think the ability to read anonymously (to the world at least) is important.
Do you want everything you touched visible forever on your profile? Most would answer no, I think.
Instead, I want much more from existing analytics.
- Is my open rate low because existing subscribers are interacting in the app rather than email? There are no “subscriber vs non-subscriber” view or like metrics to determine if you’re reaching new people or not. Except new subs…
- what’s the average read-through rate of a piece? Individual read% is already provided for the reader but not cycled back to the author. This may be impossible with ESP-data for email readers, but I’d still take it if it was clearly “app/desktop-only”
- or how about “unique views?” That’s a standard web analytics metric that’s missing on a post-by-post level I think.
Instead of gamification and a totally public airing of everything people touch, let’s start with getting the analytics more in line with some of substack’s more web-focused competitors.
Respectfully, Winston: I think these are bad ideas. As a reader, I don't WANT "badges" for how much I've read. Gamification has already gone too far on the web.
On some TV streaming platforms, I do find it useful to see what shows I've watched part of lately. Often I turn them off while still intending to come back to them. So seeing what I've read lately might be useful.
As for the prevalence of readers: I don't have any stats, but I regularly get new Followers and Subscribers who don't have their own channel.
Good points and valid stats suggestions. As someone often bracketed on a sofa by Duolingo addicts with 500+ days streaks etc, then I think the reader gamification suggestion might have legs.
I think what drew a lot of us to Substack initially is that it was the antithesis of all the super shiny shittiness out there on the internet. This was a place to experiment, be authentic, and make our own rules. That was the perception, anyway. And maybe that was wrong, but I think that's the dream a lot of indie writers, misfits, and nonconformists cling to by being here. I tend to think all the glitz and gamification happening out there is just a bunch of algorithmic turd-polishing. So, it gives me the heebie-jeebies when people start talking about how they want to hook the jumper cables to Substack's nipples and make it just as manic as all the other platforms on the internet because, honestly, if I wanted that, I'd be on one of those instead. I'm here because this is—or was—different. It's not perfect, and it has some kinks to be ironed out, but it's still the only tolerable thing we have.
I think there are some interesting ideas in there, but as others have noted, I value my privacy and want to ensure my readers/users keep theirs. I wouldn't mind setting private reading goals or viewing personal metrics, but I dislike the idea of broadcasting those to the world in some kind of creative competition. (And who am I publicly one-upping if I set personal reading goals, anyway?) I already hate the checkmark system and hated it when the Substack briefly rolled out "paid subscriber" badges. I also hate founding member badges. All of those are needy, lame, and privacy breaches, as it's no one's business how or where I spend my $. The same would apply to where I spend my time and mental energy reading. Unless I leave a comment or recommend a stack, my reading habits are between me and the authors I subscribe to (and even that's dicey). Is there a system that allows for that kind of discretion? I'd be all for that.
Oh how I love this, Winston! The futility I've felt about spending energy into networking within a writer network, with all the disclaimers that you mention: it's not that I don't like writers, or that writers are not readers, too. But... where exactly are we shooting at?
And then, the genius statement: it's time Substack courted readers. YES YES YES.
I'm down with these points and thoughts. Gamification on the reader side would likely work. I have no issue with Reader badges.
Improving the reading experience in the app is my biggest hope moving forward. I'd love to be able to read things in a more eBook-like experience for stories. E.g. page flipping rather than scrolling.
I like the points made here! Maybe something that can also help as a reader is better tag system. If I want to read certain kind of fiction, I shouldn't have to go through various publications and then their posts to get what I am looking for. Surely there is a better way for it that Substack can and will roll out soon.
A lot of great ideas in this article. There is absolutely a necessity for bringing in more readers. I think Substack itself could do more to help writers find readers off platform even if it was a few articles with tips and ideas.
One simple argument against public reader analytics is privacy. I don’t consider that I have a right to know everything my subscribers read or interact with when they’re not reading me. I think the ability to read anonymously (to the world at least) is important.
Do you want everything you touched visible forever on your profile? Most would answer no, I think.
Instead, I want much more from existing analytics.
- Is my open rate low because existing subscribers are interacting in the app rather than email? There are no “subscriber vs non-subscriber” view or like metrics to determine if you’re reaching new people or not. Except new subs…
- what’s the average read-through rate of a piece? Individual read% is already provided for the reader but not cycled back to the author. This may be impossible with ESP-data for email readers, but I’d still take it if it was clearly “app/desktop-only”
- or how about “unique views?” That’s a standard web analytics metric that’s missing on a post-by-post level I think.
Instead of gamification and a totally public airing of everything people touch, let’s start with getting the analytics more in line with some of substack’s more web-focused competitors.
I like the points you’re making, especially the Reader badges.
Respectfully, Winston: I think these are bad ideas. As a reader, I don't WANT "badges" for how much I've read. Gamification has already gone too far on the web.
On some TV streaming platforms, I do find it useful to see what shows I've watched part of lately. Often I turn them off while still intending to come back to them. So seeing what I've read lately might be useful.
As for the prevalence of readers: I don't have any stats, but I regularly get new Followers and Subscribers who don't have their own channel.
Great ideas.
Good points and valid stats suggestions. As someone often bracketed on a sofa by Duolingo addicts with 500+ days streaks etc, then I think the reader gamification suggestion might have legs.
I think what drew a lot of us to Substack initially is that it was the antithesis of all the super shiny shittiness out there on the internet. This was a place to experiment, be authentic, and make our own rules. That was the perception, anyway. And maybe that was wrong, but I think that's the dream a lot of indie writers, misfits, and nonconformists cling to by being here. I tend to think all the glitz and gamification happening out there is just a bunch of algorithmic turd-polishing. So, it gives me the heebie-jeebies when people start talking about how they want to hook the jumper cables to Substack's nipples and make it just as manic as all the other platforms on the internet because, honestly, if I wanted that, I'd be on one of those instead. I'm here because this is—or was—different. It's not perfect, and it has some kinks to be ironed out, but it's still the only tolerable thing we have.
I think there are some interesting ideas in there, but as others have noted, I value my privacy and want to ensure my readers/users keep theirs. I wouldn't mind setting private reading goals or viewing personal metrics, but I dislike the idea of broadcasting those to the world in some kind of creative competition. (And who am I publicly one-upping if I set personal reading goals, anyway?) I already hate the checkmark system and hated it when the Substack briefly rolled out "paid subscriber" badges. I also hate founding member badges. All of those are needy, lame, and privacy breaches, as it's no one's business how or where I spend my $. The same would apply to where I spend my time and mental energy reading. Unless I leave a comment or recommend a stack, my reading habits are between me and the authors I subscribe to (and even that's dicey). Is there a system that allows for that kind of discretion? I'd be all for that.
Oh how I love this, Winston! The futility I've felt about spending energy into networking within a writer network, with all the disclaimers that you mention: it's not that I don't like writers, or that writers are not readers, too. But... where exactly are we shooting at?
And then, the genius statement: it's time Substack courted readers. YES YES YES.
I'm down with these points and thoughts. Gamification on the reader side would likely work. I have no issue with Reader badges.
Improving the reading experience in the app is my biggest hope moving forward. I'd love to be able to read things in a more eBook-like experience for stories. E.g. page flipping rather than scrolling.